It was first conceptualized by trauma therapist Dr. Peter Levine in the 1970s and in the years since it has come to be considered a leading-edge therapy for PTSD, with over 12,000 healing professionals trained.

Peter A. Levine

Somatic therapy is a unique form of therapy that focuses on the mind-body connection to help bring about change. Somatic basically means relating to the body, so any somatic therapy will incorporate your body. Somatic therapy can help us learn to re-gain control of these body sensations to tame our minds.

The Theory of Somatic Experiencing Somatic Experiencing was first introduced by Dr. Peter Levine in 1997. From his observations of animal behavior in natural environments, he developed the theory that PTSD and other trauma-related health conditions are psychological manifestations of physiological phenomena.

Practitioners of somatic therapy believe a person’s thoughts and feelings can impact their physical well-being and use mind-body exercise to help release pent-up tension. While greater research is still needed, there is evidence that finds benefit to somatic therapy.

A 6-step somatic exercise:

1. Notice. Inhale and exhale.
2. Identify. Identify at what point in time and/or which part of your body began experiencing disturbance or stress.
3. Replay. Replay the scenario from calm state to stressed state, in slow motion (as if watching a slow movie).
4. Tune in.
5. Healing hands.

What does a somatic therapy session look like? Usually, we start by sitting and talking, and then eventually, we work our way over to the table and begin with really light touch. The first thing, I invite the person to check in with their body—just observe what they’re feeling, what they’re noticing in their bodies.

With our foundational Level One course in Somatic Therapy, you will be given all the essential skills necessary to help your clients heal holistically – heart, mind, body, and soul. Over the course of 8 months, you will learn: The important role of Safety in the healing process.

Somatic symptom disorder involves a person having a significant focus on physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath, that results in major distress and/or problems functioning. The individual has excessive thoughts, feelings and behaviors relating to the physical symptoms.

In the wider literature, however, including non-US studies, fibromyalgia is considered to be one of a series of “medically unexplained syndromes.” These illnesses are sometimes called somatic symptom disorders (SSD) or functional somatic syndromes because the main symptoms, pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbance, and …

Somatic symptom and related disorder treatment Although there is no known cure for somatoform disorders, they can be managed. Treatment focuses on helping the person who has the disorder to live as much of a normal life as possible. Even with treatment, he or she may still have some pain or other symptoms.

They include somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, hypochondriasis, conversion disorder, pain disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and somatoform disorder not otherwise specified.

From a perspective of primary care services, this unmet diagnostic need is deplorable, as the main mode of presenting a depression is by reporting somatic symptoms. This somatic form of presentation, however, significantly contributes to low rates of recognition in primary care.

Risk factors for somatic symptom disorder include: Having anxiety or depression. Having a medical condition or recovering from one. Being at risk of developing a medical condition, such as having a strong family history of a disease.

The emotional distress of anxiety is often accompanied by specific physical symptoms associated with a state of autonomic arousal, such as sweating, dizziness, and shortness of breath (most notable in patients with panic attacks), or more generalized somatic complaints, such as insomnia, restlessness, and muscle aches …

While somatic symptom disorder benefits from professional treatment, you can take some lifestyle and self-care steps, including these:

1. Work with your care providers.
2. Practice stress management and relaxation techniques.
3. Get physically active.
4. Participate in activities.
5. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD formerly known as “somatization disorder” or “somatoform disorder”) is a form of mental illness that causes one or more bodily symptoms, including pain.

Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapy are effective for the treatment of somatic symptom disorder. Amitriptyline, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and St. John’s wort are effective pharmacologic treatments for somatic symptom disorder.

Somatic symptom disorder occurs in about 5 to 7 percent of the adult population.

So if you’re experiencing unexplained aches and pains, it might be linked to your mental health. According to Carla Manley, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author, people with mental illnesses can experience a range of physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, pain, headaches, insomnia, and feelings of restlessness.

Symptoms may be due to a medical condition but they also may have no clear cause. How people feel and behave in response to these physical sensations are the main symptoms of SSD. These reactions must persist for 6 months or more.

More recent hypotheses regarding the link between asthma and psychological factors are describing asthma as a classic psychosomatic disorder caused by specific psychological conflicts [6]. Two-thirds of patients with asthma are anxious during the acute attack.

The symptoms of psychosomatic illnesses are very real. The symptoms of psychosomatic illnesses are very real. We’ve all wondered whether an ache or pain could be the sign of something more sinister. For most of us it’s a fleeting worry, quickly forgotten when the symptom disappears.

Why you should avoid over-Googling your symptoms Google provides medical information for common conditions, but it’s still always best to see a doctor. There’s also the risk of developing “health anxiety,” real condition that involves excessive worrying that you are sick.

Research literature has associated anxiety and cyberchondria with problematic internet searching for medical information. A study reviewed in Comprehensive Psychiatry shows that googling symptoms results in an escalation of concerns and excessive worrying about symptoms.

But the fact is, worrying can affect the body in ways that may surprise you. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to feelings of high anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.

And although anxiety causes no known neurological damage, it still creates symptoms such as: Tingling hands and feet – Both adrenaline and hyperventilation (symptoms of anxiety) can lead to the development of tingling hands and feet.

Emotional pain can often feel as strong as physical pain and at times can even cause symptoms of pain throughout the body. It can also have a detrimental impact on both short-term and long-term mental well-being, so getting appropriate help and treatment is important.

Learn the Five Signs of Emotional Suffering so you can recognize them in yourself or help a loved one who may be in emotional pain. In short, the Five Signs are personality change, agitation, withdrawal, the decline in personal care, and hopelessness. Someone may exhibit one or more signs.